SuperMeat & Fish Christmas Products Awards: The Results

After some particularly tough judging, the results of the inaugural 2015 SuperMeat & Fish Christmas Products Awards are in.

With over 100 top-quality products entered to the categories, the panel of judges had a difficult job to pick the winners.

Rod Addy, editor of Meat Trades Journal, said: “The standard of entries for the first-ever Supermeat & Fish Christmas Products Awards was extremely high and it was heartening to see retailers innovating and raising the bar when it comes to Christmas products.

“It was tough to pick the winners, with so many high-quality products on offer, and it highlights how important the Christmas season is to retailers as well as the meat and fish industry in general.”

Morrisons had a successful year, picking up four awards, more than any other retailer. It won the Charcuterie, Ready-Cooked Ham, Celebration Pie and was joint winner of the Pork Product categories. Judges found the retailer’s winning charcuterie to be “well-balanced and colourful”, while its ham was described as “refreshing on the palate with a well-placed use of stuffing”.

Tesco, Aldi and Asda each picked up three awards, while Iceland won two and The Co-operative won one.

Asda’s Extra Special Mini Smoked Salmon Terrines won the Best Christmas Fish award, with the product found by judges to have “lovely textures with an excellent balance of flavours”. The retailer’s Extra Special Venison with Mulled Winter Fruit Stuffing & Oak Smoked Bacon Lattice, which won the Game Product, was described by the judging panel as a “good alternative to Christmas turkey”.

Discounter Aldi held its own against the traditional multiples by picking up the Beef, Party/Buffet and Smoked Salmon awards. Its Specially Selected Rowse Honey & Mara Seaweed Cured Smoked Salmon was described as having a “lovely appearance with a firm and moist texture”.

The Co-operative’s sole award came for its Truly Irresistible Smoked Salmon, King Prawn & Semi-Dried Tomato Terrine, which won the Pâté/Terrine category. Judges found this to have a “medley of flavours”.